“The owner’s face is quickly transformed when presented with an apology and a bulging bag of Euros after fans have a whip-round.

Euro stars Michael McGovern and Gareth McAuley

“Among the observers are a relaxed and impressed French police commander and Northern Irish policemen who exchange respectful words. Here in Lyon at least, all is as it should be, and as it could be at ‪#‎EURO2016‬.”

The mood was much more reserved in Paris where supporters took the opportunity to sample the local cuisine.

And they are praying their heroes have what it takes to dish out a giant killing and serve up perhaps the greatest result in their history come Tuesday evening.